Malta still H1N1 free

No suspected cases of swine flu have been registered locally although the virus has spread rapidly around the world with more than 11,000 people in 42 countries infected.

Public Health Regulation director general Ray Busuttil said this afternoon local authorities have prepared an informative leaflet, which will be distributed in households around the island in the coming weeks.

Community Care Parliamentary Secretary Mario Galea defended the country’s decision not to use thermal scanners at airports to monitor incoming travellers.

He said Japan had used the scanners to monitor travellers but was still struck by the flu which spread very quickly.

“We are taking the measures which have been scientifically proven to work and which are recommended by the WHO,” Mr Galea said.

Earlier this month, the European Medicines Agency extended the shelf-life of Roche’s antiviral drug Tamiflu by two years.

Swine flu has shown to be responsive to both Tamiflu and Relenza, which are expected to be the first line of defence before a vaccine against the virus is available.

Dr Busuttil said the shelf-life extension is only applicable to capsules and not syrup.

WHO chief Margaret Chan this afternoon warned countries to be prepared for more severe and fatal infections from the H1N1.